All Styli Are Not Created Equally...

The stylus is often dismissed as “the little plastic stick” that people use on their PDA or handheld.  In truth, it is as important and indispensable as the mouse is to the computer, as it is the connecting point for the entire user experience.  While it may seem like a simple product on the surface, a great deal of time and energy must be invested in the design and manufacturing of a stylus if it is to work smoothly and provide minimal wear & tear to both itself and the screen it is used with.  After all, who hasn't seen a screen scratched to the point of invisibility by an “afterthought” stylus?

For more than 8 years we have been working with Pilot Pen Corporation and other leading manufacturers to design, manufacture and distribute styluses that provide the ideal combination of user experience and wear characteristics.  What makes a good stylus?
 

Tip Geometry – the shape of a stylus tip determines how much surface area comes into contact with the screen, affecting the amount of pressure needed by the user to activate it.  Not all manufacturers consider these "human factors" in the design of a product considered by most to be overly simplistic.  An improperly designed stylus can lead users to apply excessive force to the screen, often resulting in increased wear and/or damage to the stylus and worst yet, to the screen.

Tip Material – a stylus’s tip material is critical to both a stylus’s wear characteristics and it usability, both of which may vary depending upon the ultimate user environment.  Different materials create different amounts of “drag” or “slip”, either of which may be desirable depending upon whether an application involves just “touch & tap” or “drag & drop” on the screen.  The wrong material can make a system difficult to use and/or contribute to excessive wear to a screen, or worse, yet – damage.

Tip Production – most stylus tips, like most plastic products, are molded under pressure between two heavy pieces of steel.  This process can result in “parting lines” or a fine ridge of plastic where material finds its way between the two mold halves.  These “parting lines” are typically not a problem, but on the tip of a stylus they can act like a chisel, dramatically increasing wear and/or damage to a screen.  Higher quality styluses are made using proprietary techniques designed to ensure a smooth finish with no parting lines.

Ergonomics – the styli most people are familiar with are the compact units designed to fit into common PDA’s.  These units are typically designed for their portability and not necessarily to aid the user in working with their handheld.  While this may be fine for personal applications, such as calendar and address book, commercial applications for Point-of-Sale, transportation, sales force automation and more demand more elegant, user-friendly designs.
 

Versatility – many applications require a stylus that can be adapted and/or customized for particular user environments.  This can range from the addition of holders to covers or other tip protection to tethers and other methods of maximizing access and minimizing loss or theft.  The addition of imprinted and/or laser-engraved logos and other brand marking can also add to the development of product and or corporate identity.